Sanding Tool

ABSTRACT

A sanding tool for sanding corners. This tool includes an elongated V-shaped member structured to uniformly contact adjacent corner positions; a sandpaper securing device configured to secure the sandpaper thereon. The device includes: a pair of threaded elongated members; a pair of adjustment mechanisms, having: a clamping member sized to be substantially parallel with the elongated V-shaped member, a first bracing member; and a securing bolt in the form of wing nuts; and a user interface system, configured to enable a user to operate the sanding tool. The user interface further includes: a pair of bracing members inserted into the elongated V-shaped member; a coupling mechanism, in the form of a plate having a socket thereon; a gripping member in the form of a handle, configured to enable a user to grasp the sanding tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sanding tools, specifically sandingcorners between adjoining structures.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, it has been known to use sanding tools to performdry wall construction or the like. Many construction workers typicallyplace sheets of plaster-filled substances on wall surfaces and thejoints between the sheets are filled and taped in order to conceal thejoints. When finishing construction work, users routinely sand joints toreduce the level of tape and the plaster substance to similar levels asthe sheets. Though there are many sanding tools in the marketplace toadequately complete construction work, the user still faces somedifficulty in sanding interfaces and corners between adjoining walls orstructures in a building. Some improvements have been made in the field.Examples include but are not limited to the references described below,which references are incorporated by reference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,597, issued to Matechuk, discloses a hand sandingtool for sanding corner joints in dry wall construction comprises aresilient foam block shaped to fit the corner and faced with suitableabrasive grit. A carrier is provided for demountably supporting the foamblock and properly distributing the force over the faces of the foamblock. The carrier is mounted on a handle by a simple universal jointand the handle is arranged to receive an extension piece.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,708, issued to Miles, discloses a device that isprovided for sanding the drywall compound formed along a drywall corner.The device includes a base and a pad holder, the pad holder beingadapted to receive and hold a drywall sanding pad. More particularly,the pad holder is in the form of a generally V-shaped plate thatconforms to the shape of the drywall sanding pad. The drywall sandingpad and the pad holder can be provided as an integral component or inthe alternative, the drywall sanding pad can be detachably secure to thepad holder through a fastener arrangement such as through an array ofhook and loop fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,130, issued to Nelson, discloses a corner sander forfinishing dry plaster wall corners after application of taping thereto.

U.S. Design Pat. No. D373,715, issued to Fink, discloses an ornamentaldesign for a drywall angle sander.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include: being inconvenient, having limited versatility to sandvarious areas; and/or being unable to sufficiently retain sandpaperthereon.

What is needed is a sanding tool that solves one or more of the problemsdescribed herein and/or one or more problems that may come to theattention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with thisspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable sanding tools. Accordingly, the present invention has beendeveloped to provide a sanding tool for sanding corners of structures.

There is one embodiment of a sanding tool for sanding corners ofstructures that may have: an elongated V-shaped member that may beconfigured to uniformly contact adjacent corner positions, and/or mayinclude a contact side and/or a support side; a sandpaper securingdevice may be configured to secure the sandpaper to the contact side.

According to one embodiment, there is a sandpaper securing device mayfurther include: a pair of elongated members that may be coupled toopposing medial ends of the support side and may extend outwardlytherefrom; and/or a pair of adjustment mechanisms, wherein each may beremovably coupled to one of the elongated members. In addition, eachadjustment mechanism may include: a clamping member that may be sized tobe substantially parallel with the elongated V-shaped member having ahole disposed therein, and/or may be sized to receive one of theelongated members; and/or a first bracing member that may have a holedisposed therein, and/or may be sized to receive one of the elongatedmembers; and/or a securing bolt that may be sized to encase theelongated members, wherein the first bracing member may be inserted intothe clamping member and/or may be transversely coupled to the clampingmember at opposing ends of the first bracing member.

There is also a user interface device that may be configured to enable auser to operate the sanding tool that may include: a pair of secondbracing members that may be inserted into the elongated V-shaped memberand/or may be transversely coupled to the elongated V-shaped member atopposing ends of the second bracing members; and/or a coupling mechanismthat may be removably coupled to each of the second bracing members;and/or a gripping member that may be configured to enable a user tograsp the sanding tool, and/or may be removably coupled to the couplingmechanism.

According to one embodiment, the gripping member may be in form of ahandle and/or may be in the form of a pole.

In another embodiment, the coupling mechanism may be in the form of aplate that may include a socket, wherein the socket may be configured toreceive the gripping member.

In yet another embodiment, the elongated members may be threaded and thesecuring bolt may be in the form of a wing nut.

In still yet another embodiment, there may be foamy material or the likecoupled to the contact side of the elongated V-shaped member.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanding tool, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sanding tool taken along line 2-2illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a sandpaper securing device, according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, orcomponent parts of the same or different illustrated invention.Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, fortwo or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features arerelated, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,”or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optionalfeatures, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.

Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of anyother statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identicallanguage characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodimentis identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment isindependent of any other embodiments characterized by the language“another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to beable to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claimsand/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly orexplicitly.

Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, doesnot appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, suchas is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience forthe reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this applicationto incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like,at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible andappropriate.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is, are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

Looking to the drawing figures, there is one embodiment of a sandingtool 110 for sanding corners 44 between adjoining structures 46. Thetool 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes an elongated V-shapedmember 12 having a contact side 14 and support side 16. Non-limitingexamples of such structures may include drywalls, wooden walls, etc.Also as shown in FIG. 1, the V-shaped member is configured to uniformlycontact corners 44 connecting adjacent structures 46 such as buildingwalls. A user may engage the contact side of the V-shape member with thestructure 46 in order to smooth out rough protrusions, and/or edges indry wall plaster substances, paint, etc. thereon. Non-limiting examplesof such protrusions and/or rough edges may include: unevenly paintedareas, areas of excess plaster/paint, embedded particles such as dust,dirt, etc. The support side 16 side of the V-shaped member includes aplurality of members configured to help to retain the rigidness of theof the V-shaped member, as well as a user interface system 34 thatenables the user to handle and manipulate the tool as a means to applysandpaper to corners of structures 46.

According to one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, there is a sandpapersecuring device 18 configured to retain sandpaper 15 onto the tool 10.The securing device includes: a pair of threaded elongated members 20fixedly coupled to the apex of the V-shaped members 12 at opposingmedial ends of the support side 16 and extending outwardly therefrom; apair of adjustment mechanisms 22 comprised of the elongated member 20,securing bolt 32, and clamping members 26. Additionally, the adjustmentmechanisms are removably coupled to the elongated members 20 (alsoreferred to as threaded screws) via the rotatable securing bolts 32, asindicated by arrow 48.

Moreover, the adjustment mechanisms 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 furtherincludes: a pair of clamping members 26 sized to be substantiallyparallel with the elongated V-shaped member 20 having a hole 28 disposedtherein; a first bracing member 30 having a hole 28 disposed therein andsized to receive the elongated members 20; and a securing bolt 32 thatmay be sized to encase the elongated members. The hole 28 in thesecuring bolt 32 (also referred to as wing nut) is sized to for the boltbe threadedly and rotatably coupleable to the elongated members 20,thereby enabling the user to adjustably move the adjustment mechanismtoward or away from the V-shaped member 12, as indicated by arrow 50 inFIG. 3. The bracing member may coupled onto the elongated membersthrough the hole 28 at the apex of the clamping members and transverselycoupled to the clamping member at opposing ends thereof.

According to one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a userinterface device 34, configured to enable a user to operate the sandingtool 10 having: a pair of second bracing members 36 configured to beinserted into the elongated V-shaped member 12 and transversely coupledto the elongated V-shaped member at opposing ends thereof; and couplingmechanism 38, in the form of a plate, that is removably coupled to eachof the bracing members 36; and a gripping member 40, in the form of aU-shaped handle, designed to enable a user to grasp the sanding tool,and removably couple the handle 40 to the bracing members 36 via sockets42.

In operation, a user desiring to sand corners 44 and adjoiningstructures 46 simultaneously may removably couple sandpaper 15 to thecontact side 14 of the elongated V-shaped member 12. The user canaccomplish the task by folding the sandpaper over the top and bottomedges of the V-shaped member as shown in FIG. 1, such that the sandpaperis positioned between the V-shaped member and clamping member 26 of thesandpaper securing device in shown in FIG. 3. The user then may slidablymove the adjustment mechanism 22 about the threaded screw 20 toward theV-shaped member, as indicated by arrow 50, until the clamping member 26contacts the sandpaper. The user then may rotate the wing nut 32clockwise, as indicated by arrow 48, in FIG. 1, to tighten the nut inorder for the adjustment mechanism to tightly contact the sandpaper.

The user may then removably couple the U-shaped handle 40 to bracingmembers 36 on the support side 16 of the tool 10 via the sockets 42disposed on the coupling mechanism 38. Afterwards, the user can grab thehandle with either hand an engage the sandpaper 15 on the contact side14 with the corners 44 between adjoining structures 46 and move the tool10 up and down to complete a sanding job.

Upon completion of a sanding job and/or when there is a need to exchangesandpaper 15, the user may decouple the sandpaper from the V-shapedmember 12 by turning the wing nut 32 counterclockwise to loosen the nut,as indicated by arrow 48 in FIG. 1. This will enable the user toslidably move the adjustment mechanism 22 away from the V-shaped memberuntil there is a gap 24 between the V-shaped member and clamping members26 as shown in FIG. 3, thereby allowing the user to remove sandpaperfrom the tool 10.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the user may removablycouple an extension pole to the bracing members 36 in lieu of the handle40 as a means to sand corners 44 between adjoining structures 46 nearhard to reach areas such as the ceiling.

In yet another embodiment, there may be padding material coupled to thecontact side 14 of the V-shaped member 12. When a user couples sandpaper15 to the tool 10, the foamy material will be positioned between theV-shaped member and the sandpaper, thereby serving as a cushioningmechanism to soften the V-shaped member surface in order to avoidpotential to corners 44 and adjoining structures 46 due to a userinadvertently applying excessive force to the tool while sandingstructures. Non-limiting examples of such padding material may includefoam, rubber, etc.

The present invention fulfills the need for an easier and faster methodfor the user to sand the interfaces between adjoining structures 46 atany corners 44 simultaneously, instead of sanding these surfacesindividually.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the gripping member 40 being in the form ofa handle, the gripping member may be in the form of a extension pole,enabling the user to sand corners 44 between adjoining structures 46 inhard to reach areas such as ceilings, etc.

It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design ofthis invention. An example is that the V-shaped member 12; securingdevice 18; screws 20; adjustment mechanisms 22; clamping members 26;holes 28; bracing members 30, 36; wing nuts 32; coupling mechanism 38;handle 40; and/or socket 42 may vary in width, length, size, diameter,design, shape, etc., according to various embodiments.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may beconstructed of a variety of materials, such as metal, steel, aluminum,metal alloys, etc.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

1. A sanding tool for sanding corners, comprising: an elongated V-shapedmember, configured to uniformly contact adjacent corner positions,including a contact side; and a support side; a sandpaper securingdevice, configured to secure the sandpaper to the contact side,including: a pair of elongated members coupled to opposing medial endsof the support side and extending outwardly therefrom; an pair ofadjustment mechanisms each removably coupled to one of the elongatedmembers, each adjustment mechanism including: a securing membercomprising: a clamping member sized to be substantially parallel withthe elongated V-shaped member having a hole disposed therein, sized toreceive one of the elongated members; a first bracing member having ahole disposed therein, sized to receive one of the elongated members;and a securing bolt, sized to encase the elongated members; wherein thefirst bracing member is inserted into the clamping member andtransversely coupled to the clamping member at opposing ends of thefirst bracing member; and a user interface system, configured to enablea user to operate the sanding tool including: a pair of second bracingmembers inserted into the elongated V-shaped member and transverselycoupled to the elongated V-shaped member at opposing ends of the secondbracing members; a coupling mechanism, removably coupled to each of thesecond bracing members; and a gripping member, configured to enable auser to grasp the sanding tool, removably coupled to the couplingmechanism; wherein the gripping member is a U-shaped handle. 2.(canceled)
 3. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the couplingmechanism is a plate which includes a socket, configured to receive thegripping member.
 4. The sanding tool of claim 3, wherein the grippingmember is a pole.
 5. The sanding tool of claim 4, wherein the elongatedmembers are threaded.
 6. The sanding tool of claim 5, wherein thesecuring bolt is a wing nut.
 7. A sanding tool for sanding corners,consisting of: an elongated V-shaped member, configured to uniformlycontact adjacent corner positions, including a contact side; and asupport side; a sandpaper securing device, configured to secure thesandpaper to the contact side, including: a pair of elongated memberscoupled to opposing medial ends of the support side and extendingoutwardly therefrom; an pair of adjustment mechanisms each removablycoupled to each of the elongated members, each adjustment mechanismincluding: a clamping member sized to be substantially parallel with theelongated V-shaped member having a hole disposed therein, sized toreceive one of the elongated members; a first bracing member having ahole disposed therein, sized to receive one of the elongated members;and a securing bolt, sized to encase the elongated members; wherein thefirst bracing member is inserted into the clamping member andtransversely coupled to the clamping member at opposing ends of thefirst bracing member; and a user interface device, configured to enablea user to operate the sanding tool including: a pair of second bracingmembers inserted into the elongated V-shaped member and transverselycoupled to the elongated V-shaped member at opposing ends of the secondbracing members; a coupling mechanism, removably coupled to each of thesecond bracing members: and a gripping member, configured to enable auser to grasp the sanding tool, removably coupled to the couplingmechanism; wherein the gripping member is a U-shaped handle. 8.(canceled)
 9. The sanding tool of claim 9, wherein the couplingmechanism is a plate which includes a socket, configured to receive thegripping member.
 10. The sanding tool of claim 9, wherein the grippingmember is a pole.
 11. The sanding tool of claim 10, wherein theelongated members are threaded.
 12. The sanding tool of claim 11,wherein the securing bolt is a wing nut.